Today’s Reading: Luke 2:8-20, Psalm 34

Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in highest heaven,
and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.”
When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” – Luke 2:13-15

Peace on earth — This is a wish or a phrase we hear a lot around Christmas. There is a natural desire in this world for peace, yet so many people are looking for peace in all the wrong places. How can we experience this peace declared by the angels; how can we walk this path of peace mentioned in Luke 1? If peace on earth is for those with whom God is pleased, how can I become the object of God’s pleasure?

Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace. – Romans 8:5-6

WE EXPERIENCE PEACE WHEN WE SURRENDER TO THE HOLY SPIRIT.

It is at the moment of surrender that I experience this peace I am searching for. It is when I stop trying to control my circumstances or manipulate my outcomes that I go from struggling to surrendering. When I reach exhaustion from seeking peace in all the wrong places, I turn and find that God’s offer is still available. Life and peace can be woven through my story if only I can overcome my stubbornness and fully surrender my life to Jesus Christ.

But because you are stubborn and refuse to turn from your sin, you are storing up terrible punishment for yourself. For a day of anger is coming, when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed. He will judge everyone according to what they have done. He will give eternal life to those who keep on doing good, seeking after the glory and honor and immortality that God offers. But he will pour out his anger and wrath on those who live for themselves, who refuse to obey the truth and instead live lives of wickedness. There will be trouble and calamity for everyone who keeps on doing what is evil — for the Jew first and also for the Gentile. But there will be glory and honor and peace from God for all who do good — for the Jew first and also for the Gentile. For God does not show favoritism. – Romans 2:5-11

WE EXPERIENCE PEACE WHEN WE CHOOSE TO DO THE GOOD FOR WHICH GOD CREATED US.

I cannot live for my own happiness and find peace; I cannot reject the truth found in scripture and experience the peace of God. This promise of peace is for those who turn from their sin, who are daily seeking after the glory and honor and immortality that God offers. Those who reject the gift of God’s righteousness are void of the perfect peace available to those who enter into a covenant relationship with God.

“They don’t know where to find peace.”
“They have no fear of God at all.” – Romans 3:17-18

Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory. – Romans 5:1-2

WE EXPERIENCE PEACE WHEN WE CHOOSE TO PLACE OUR TRUST IN GOD.

As we surround ourselves in the celebration of Christmas, may this be the year of total surrender. What are you holding onto that you need to release to God? What do you need to bring to the manger in order to experience the gift of peace available to you? What confession needs to be made, what relationship needs restored, what habit needs to be broken in order for you to experience all that God has for you? I would love to encourage you to fully surrender your life to Jesus and find the peace you have been seeking.

I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. – Romans 15:13

Lord, I surrender my life to you. I am done resisting and rebelling against your plan for my life. Please take this mess I have made and create in me a clean heart. Give me a faith that daily strengthens me, helping me to trust you every day. I choose to let go of everything and rest in your capable hands. Lord, empty me of everything that is self-seeking and fill me with your Holy Spirit so that I can overflow with confident hope and be filled with the joy and peace that come from you. Amen.